The Central Queensland community will be able to have their say on a possible site for a new 42-bed residential rehabilitation site in Rockhampton from today.
The proposed site at two vacant lots with access off Birkbeck Drive, Parkhurst, is a 14.54-hectare site currently covered in bushland, 8km from the city.
Deputy Director-General Clinical Excellence Queensland Dr John Wakefield said the new service would provide important health services for people with substance use problems in Central Queensland.
"The new health facility will be purpose-designed to deliver safe and high-quality care in a therapeutic environment, surrounded by bushland.
"Queensland Health will hold an information evening in the next fortnight about this important service, and I encourage interested residents to attend," Dr Wakefield said.
"Queensland Health has identified this site because of the tranquil, semi-rural setting away from the major centre that will provide a private space for people to focus on recovery."
The $14.3 million facility will provide 42 beds for individual residential rehabilitation, withdrawal management, and two family units to assist parents.
Although it is located in Rockhampton, it will accept referrals from across the state, with priority placed on clients living in the Central Queensland, Wide Bay, Mackay and Central West Hospital and Health Service regions.
Executive Director of Healthy Options Australia, Jody Wright, said increasing alcohol and other drug services in the Rockhampton area will lead to decreased problematic drug use, decreased involvement in crime and strengthened family units.
"Increasing access in the regions is so important, not just for the user but for their families and loved ones who often pay the price not just financially but emotionally," she said.
"We fully support the effort to expand services that will help us to fully address the impacts of drug and alcohol as a united community."
Lived Lives Well CEO, Mitchell Giles, said the importance of a new residential rehabilitation service to the region could not be overstated.
"Such a service will provide options and opportunities for people to access support in their local area, rather than having to leave Central Queensland to receive treatment," he said.
"This in turn means a better chance of recovery for each person completing a residential rehab program, as they have their families, friends and other support networks around them.
"Our counsellors on the ground in Central Queensland are seeing a strong demand for drug and alcohol support services.
"With the right help, people can address their substance misuse issues and participate more fully in the life of their local community."
Dr Wakefield said applicants would undergo appropriate assessment to ensure they were suited to on-site treatment.
"Only people deemed as being suitable for a residential program will be admitted to the centre," he said.
"The safety and wellbeing of the community, clients and staff are top priority.
"The benefits this centre delivers to the community are immense.
"In addition to helping people with their substance use, effective drug and alcohol treatment improves community safety and reduces the burden on health and other services."
The service is voluntary and will be staffed and operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
A non-residential day program will also commence offsite in the central Rockhampton area in mid-2020.
